Whitfield flew former Bears general manager Jerry Angelo and former Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to San Diego to meet with Oklahoma’s Jones at Whitfield’s training center. Angelo grilled Jones with the kinds of questions he will get from NFL teams this weekend. Cameron put Jones on the blackboard and helped him understand more about NFL offenses.

Landry Jones' size (6-4, 225) and stats as a senior (30 TDs thrown) could make him one of the first quarterbacks chosen in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo)

Recruiting former NFL personnel people to grill his prospects before the Combine is something Whitfield has never done before. But with so many quarterbacks jockeying for draft position, Whitfield wants to do whatever it takes to boost Jones’ stock.

“I hear questions about his pocket mobility and his ability to extend plays,” Whitfield said Friday at the Combine. “Nobody questions his arm talent. Nobody questions his football acumen or his toughness. Landry has been resilient.

“Last year’s class was a special group. But I like this class. A lot of people poke holes at them and want to kick dirt on this class. But there will be some names coming off the board in the first round. Landry will be one of them.”

That is a bold statement from a Jones backer. However, there is no doubt NFL scouts are looking for quarterbacks to emerge from the pack when they throw on Sunday. Jones is part of a large group in the mix beyond Geno Smith that includes Matt Barkley (USC), Tyler Bray (Tennessee), Zac Dysert (Miami-Ohio), Mike Glennon (N.C. State), E.J. Manuel (Florida State), Ryan Nassib (Syracuse) and Tyler Wilson (Arkansas).

Jones has some impressive numbers, measuring 6-4, 225 pounds and throwing for 30 touchdowns as a senior at Oklahoma. With so much uncertainty about where quarterbacks will come off the board, Jones believes he can make a move.

“It’s definitely a wide-open year,” Jones said Friday. “I think the further we get into this process, I think there’s going to be somebody who puts himself ahead."

That’s why Jones decided to hire Whitfield, who worked with the last two No. 1 overall picks—Andrew Luck (2012) and Cam Newton (2011). Whitfield likes Jones’ development since January.

“He has really worked hard, and it will show,” Whitfield said. “I expect him to light it up."

While Jones is participating in every workout this weekend, Barkley won’t throw because he is still recovering from his shoulder injury. Barkley plans to throw at his pro day in March and says he isn’t worried about falling behind the pack this weekend after a disappointing senior season.

“I learned a lot from this last year that you can’t learn in the classroom,” Barkley said. “Handling adversity at its peak. I’ve had to learn through experience over the years about leadership. Definitely, I think I’m in a better position now than I was last year."

The close competition at quarterback has led to most of them electing to participate in every drill at the Combine. Whitfield believes that will help separate the class.

“There’s been years past, you might have three or four guys on the side looking for a cigarette,” Whitfield said. “This year, it’s going to be how it’s supposed to be.”

Barkley made it clear he wants to start as a rookie, just like Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson did last season. As for not being the most mobile quarterback, Barkley said he believes he can be a winning QB, which is more important.

“I think in the NFL you’re always going to have to be a passer,” Barkley said. “It’s a passing game. As much as the read option is successful, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback is similar to how I play. That style, that tradition, I don’t think will ever fade.”

For quarterbacks at the Combine this weekend, it’s not about fading, it’s about standing out. Whitfield has done his best to prepare Jones, and this weekend he believes it will pay off.

“I can’t control what Geno or Mike or what any of those other guys do,” Jones said. “So I’m going to work as hard as I can and do my best.”